Cross-slab in Inishmurray

This cross-slab was recorded by Wakeman (1893, 118, fig. 59) near the entrance to the ecclesiastical enclosure/cashel (SL001-001001-), but its whereabouts are now unknown. Slab fragment (H: 0.685 m, W: 0.535 m) whose face was originally filled with a ringed, slightly shafted, outline cross. The upper arms (0.274 m) are only marginally shorter than the shaft (0.305 m), and unlike it they are decorated with semi-circular terminals with straight butts. The ring comprises four curving false relief bands which abut the arms 0.18 m from the crossing. Within this ring the cross arms curve inwards to form hollow arm pits. The above description is derived from the results of a survey of the archaeological monuments on Inishmurray undertaken in 1997-1999 and published in: Jerry O’Sullivan and Tomás Ó Carragáin 2008 Inishmurrary. Monks and pilgrims in an Atlantic landscape. Volume 1: Archaeological Survey and Excavations 1997-2000. Cork. The Collins Press. Date of upload: 20 February 2018

Probably dates to the early Christian period (5th–9th century AD), associated with the ecclesiastical site on Inishmurray. It may have served a liturgical or commemorative function, reflecting the island's historical role as an important monastic centre.